2024 is a notable year for Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen: it marks 60 years that the yard has been operational. Back in 1964, the yard was part of the Royal Schelde Shipyard and was called Scheldepoort. The yard was built as a dedicated ship repair yard. To celebrate this six-decade milestone, DSV is organising not one, but two different parties. “We held the first on 12 April,” says DSV HR Manager Sebastian Schipper. “This was an informal party for colleagues and their partners at the Lasloods in Vlissingen.”

After gifts of cake and a softshell jacket with DSV’s 60-year logo earlier in the day, the DSV employee party kicked off with a welcome speech from Managing Director Michiel de Vliegher followed by a DJ music session, food, and drinks. “This was the first party to which partners were invited (without kids this time) so it was great to meet and get to know each other’s partners,” Sebastian adds. “About 130 people came so it was nice and busy.”

DSV held an informal party for colleagues and their partners in the Lasloods in Vlissingen on 12 April DSV held an informal party for colleagues and their partners in the Lasloods in Vlissingen on 12 April

The schedule for the evening was well-planned; after the food, there was a Kahoot quiz. This consisted of a combination of general knowledge questions looking back over the 60 years of DSV and musical questions with a Zeeland or maritime theme, with the three top scorers winning prizes. Then the music started up again, with a band and the DJ keeping the party going until about 11 o’clock. “It was a nice party, all very pleasant with a nice, relaxed atmosphere.”

DSV’s 60-year anniversary celebrations will continue later this year. “The official anniversary event will be on 12 September. This is the exact date that, 60 years previously, Queen Juliana officially opened the yard,” notes Sebastian. “This will be a formal event with invited guests to mark this special occasion.”

Test your general knowledge about DSV

1. Who officially opened the yard in 1964?
a. Princess Beatrix
b. Queen Juliana
c. Prince Bernhard
d. Queen Wilhelmina

2. What are the dimensions of DSV’s dock number 2?
a. 215mx29.8m
b. 185mx40m
c. 230mx25m
d. 205mx29.8m

3. What colour were DSV’s time registration cards?
a. Red
b. Blue
c. Yellow
d. Green

4. The roof of dock number 2 was installed during which naval project?
a. HNLMS Rotterdam
b. HNLMS Amsterdam
c. HNLMS Johan de Witt
d. HNLMS Johan de Zwart

5. How many different nationalities work at DSV?
a. 4
b. 5
c. 6
d. 7

Answers can be found below the picture.

The official anniversary event will be held on 12 September, exactly 60 years after Queen Juliana officially opened the yard. The official anniversary event will be held on 12 September, exactly 60 years after Queen Juliana officially opened the yard.

Answers:
1: b, 2: a, 3: b, 4: c, 5: d.